Magnetism and spin dynamics of an S=3/2 frustrated trillium lattice antiferromagnet K2CrTi(PO4)3

Competing magnetic interactions, frustration driven quantum fluctuations, and spin correlations offer an ideal route for the experimental realization of emergent quantum phenomena and exotic quasi particle excitations in 3D frustrated magnets. In this context, trillium lattice, wherein magnetic ions decorate a three-dimensional chiral network of corner-shared equilateral triangular motifs, provides a viable ground. Herein, we present the crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, electron spin-resonance, muSR results on the polycrystalline samples of K2CrTi(PO4)3 wherein the Cr3+ ions form a perfect trillium lattice without any detectable anti-site disorder. The Curie-Weiss fit of the magnetic susceptibility data above 100 K yields a Curie-Weiss temperature of -23 K, which indicates the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between Cr3+ (S=3/2) moments. The specific heat measurements reveal the occurrence of two consecutive phase transitions, at temperatures TL = 4.3 K and TH = 8 K, corresponding to two different magnetic phases and it unveils the existence of short-range spin correlations above the ordering temperature TH. The power-law behavior of ESR linewidth suggests the persistence of short-range spin correlations over a relatively wide critical region in agreement with the specific heat results. The muSR resultsprovide concrete evidence of two different phases corresponding to two transitions, coupled with thecritical slowing down of spin fluctuations above TL and persistent spin dynamics below TL, consistent with the thermodynamic results. Moreover, the muSR results reveal the coexistence of static and dynamic local magnetic fields below TL, signifying the presence of complex magnetic phases owing to the entwining of spin correlations and competing magnetic interactions in this three-dimensional frustrated magnet.